Why Animators Should Light (& Render) Their Shots

Character walk with lighting by Joris Van Laar

Why You Should Light Your Animation Shots (and not just rely on greyshade or Maya Playblasts).
A strong demo reel isn’t just about great animation — it’s also about great presentation.  

Many student reels rely on greyshade renders or raw playblasts, but taking the time to add simple lighting can make a huge difference to how your work is received. 

You don’t need to be a lighting artist to benefit from a basic setup. A little polish goes a long way, and you can follow one of our super simple lighting tutorials to get a great result in just a few minutes. 

Lighting Makes Your Work Look More Professional

Watch our crab scuttle tutorial for undersea lighting

Studios are used to seeing polished shots. Animation recruiters won't necessarily be looking for scenes that are beautifully lit and rendered, but a lit scene feels closer to production quality - and shows that you understand how your animation will look in context.  Even a simple 3-point lighting setup can transform a shot from “student exercise” to “portfolio-worthy”. 

Lighting Helps Direct the Audience’s Eye
Good lighting is storytelling.  A good lighting setup helps guide attention to the character’s face, the acting beats, and the important parts of the performance.  Greyshade renders can feel flat, making it harder for the viewer to connect with the emotion and the story.  Lighting helps to support the performance you worked so hard to create.

A Final Render Shows You Care About Craft and Finish
When a recruiter sees a lit and rendered shot, it signals pride, effort, and professionalism. It says you’re willing to go the extra mile to make your work shine. That attitude is valued in production.

Good Lighting Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

Basic lighting in Maya by Neil Whitman

You don’t need advanced shaders or a full CG pipeline. A simple key, fill, and rim light + a basic render is enough. Better yet, watch our Physical Sky Tutorial for the simplest of all lighting setups.  Many animation students think lighting “isn’t their job”, but in a reel, everything is your job — including presentation.

Adding even basic lighting elevates your reel instantly. It supports your performance, enhances appeal, and makes your animation look industry-ready. Don’t hide great work behind a grey viewport — let it shine.

Lighting at Animation Apprentice

To find more lighting and rendering resources at Animation Apprentice, follow the links below:

• Create a Starry Night Sky with Arnold SkyDome
• How to Export a Render Sequence in Arnold
• Arnold Sky Shader Tutorial (Very Simple)
• Arnold Physical Sky Tutorial - Super Basic (and v quick) Lighting Setup
• Why Does Maya Batch Render Too Dark?
• Why Has Arnold Disappeared From Maya?
• Arnold Video Tutorial Playlist
• Physical Sun and Sky in Mental Ray (Maya 2016 and below)
• Free Lighting Tutorials with Pixar's Jeremy Birn (useful for theory)

To find out more about Animation Apprentice, click here for a link to Frequently Asked Questions. To sign up for our next classroom at Animation Apprentice, follow this link.